Potentially moving to Japan (for a year or something)

[Kanadei]

So I just got back from a holiday to Japan (was amazing, long time must visit location but first time there) and my partner has completely fallen in love with the place (she's not the reasonable sort) and wants us to move there and teach english for a year or something.

This is actually something we have discussed in the past (teaching english overseas), we both have a degree in literature and are in our mid twenties and would love to see more of the world. Being from Australia (which has good ties to Japan) we don't even need a visa or anything like that, just a teaching english as a foreign language accreditation and a placement with a school over there. I've always wanted to teach anyway so its all good.

We don't speak fluent Japanese, but I did study it for some years in high school so I'm not completely basic either. She is a quick study and probably more fluent than me these days.

Anyway here is where it gets tricky. We got back from Japan and began making plans for a lengthier non-holiday stay over there. Now our current lease runs out in November, and she's recently told me she would like to transition directly from our lease ending to going over to live in Japan. Having not done much research on this, this seems very soon to me - especially for a major life decision like moving overseas to work for a year or two (keeping in mind november is roughly 9 weeks away).

It's probably fair to mention here that in the relationship she is the dreamer and I am the realist. She would be perfectly fine flying over there and trusting that she could work the rest out. I, on the other hand, am a nuts and bolts kind of person. I can't even realistically think about going there until I know where we are staying, how we are getting accredited, where to work etc.

This is causing some friction in our relationship (as I'm sure you can guess) as it largely comes to down to opinion differing on how long is the right amount of time to prepare before heading over there. Obviously I have a lot of research to do (luckily I have some savings so money isn't a huge issue) before I can commit to a timeline on that, she wants us to leave as soon as possible because that's just the way she is.

So I thought I'd put it out there to you guys to see what your views were. Anyone done anything like this, potentially in Japan? Any tips? We know that outside of teaching its virtually impossible to work long term in Japan and that teachers dont earn much over there, that doesn't bother us really.

Also if you want to tell me that I'm not adventurous enough or alternatively that my girlfriend is a crazy person that would be fine too. We've been together 6 years also, so I don't really need input around "don't travel/work with/live with your girlfriend" if we can avoid that.

[I Push Buttons]

Do you have potential work lined up in Japan?

Do you have enough money to transition?

If yes and you love Japan and would want to live there then why not. If you don't have spare cash to maybe have some overlap in your rent or you don't have potential work lined up then its probably not a good idea to just move to Japan on a whim with no home and no job over there...

[Erolian]

Moving without first having a place to stay and work already lined up would be legitimately stupid if you have the option of planning and securing those things before leaving. Not to mention that you aren't even fluent in their language. Taking that kind of risk for literally no reason other than "Hey I like it there" is totally out of the question IMO.

[Kanadei]

Do you have potential work lined up in Japan?

Do you have enough money to transition?

If yes and you love Japan and would want to live there then why not. If you don't have spare cash to maybe have some overlap in your rent or you don't have potential work lined up then its probably not a good idea to just move to Japan on a whim with no home and no job over there...

We haven't lined the work up but I have enough money to transition.

She seems convinced she can line the work up in a matter of weeks, I'm a bit more unsure.

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Moving without first having a place to stay and work already lined up would be legitimately stupid if you have the option of planning and securing those things before leaving. Not to mention that you aren't even fluent in their language. Taking that kind of risk for literally no reason other than "Hey I like it there" is totally out of the question IMO.

Why can't I be dating you instead

[Cosmic Janitor]

You should rethink this if your whole plan is "teach English or something".

I heard from quite a few people that foreign language teachers aren't exactly highly regarded, especially outside of the major cities, as people see very little importance in that.

[Kanadei]

You should rethink this if your plan is "teach English or something".

Did you have anything useful to add or did you come here just to argue semantics?

My plan is to teach english over there, as I have a degree in english literature, a modest understanding of the Japanese language and enough money to support myself. Is that good enough for you to step down from your high horse and give me some actual advice?

Honestly.

[Usagi Senshi]

Honestly, I would wait a bit longer if possible and really work out the details more and make an effort on her part to research what she'll possibly be able to do when you guys go over. Better to wait another year or so than to be potentially sorry and break a relationship up.

Also, gives you more time to study the language a bit more.

[Kanadei]

Honestly, I would wait a bit longer if possible and really work out the details more and make an effort on her part to research what she'll possibly be able to do when you guys go over. Better to wait another year or so than to be potentially sorry and break a relationship up.

Also, gives you more time to study the language a bit more.

While I appreciate the advice, you don't need to consider our relationship. I'm purely interested in the logistics of this.

I couldn't become fluent in Japanese in a year if I tried, but I agree more time will help improve what I already know.

[Ayla]

My cousin lived in Korea and taught English there. She lived in a nice place and lived there for a few years before moving back home. The people she taught were already pretty fluent in english. She'd meet with them in restaurants and bars and have a chat with them, perhaps you can do that? I've heard that while Japan don't really like foreigners when they arent tourists. Also I hope you don't have tattoos.

I think November is doable, but sounds like she's dreaming far too much and has a romanticized view of living there.

edit: Wait 9 weeks? November? What?

[Bathory]

I heard from quite a few people that foreign language teachers aren't exactly highly regarded, especially outside of the major cities, as people see very little importance in that.

Really? I've heard the complete opposite. Friend of mine got back in Japan last October. She's in S.Korea now teaching english. She loves it.

I think it depends where you go and where you teach. I have heard that some places are very sketchy, while some are very professional. Do your research OP.

[Kanadei]

I've heard that while Japan don't really like foreigners when they arent tourists. Also I hope you don't have tattoos.

I'm missing a month. More like 12 weeks.

I think japanese people don't like foreign business people or in other lines of work but have a lot of respect for teachers.

I have a small tattoo at the nape of my neck which is impossible to see 98% of the time.

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I think it depends where you go and where you teach. I have heard that some places are very sketchy, while some are very professional. Do your research OP.

Yeah I want to full research before I go.

She wants to go on like a "research trip" for a month and check places and schools. I think this will drain a lot of cash we would be better off saving for the trip. Cue tears.

[Ayla]

I guess my biggest question is: How much money do you actually have, and how long did you spend in Japan on this trip?
Could you go 5 months without any income at all, keeping in mind that you'd probably have to pay first and last months rent twice and a flight there and back?
Where would you keep all your stuff? Would you sell it? Are you willing to rebuy everything if you do come back?

I wouldnt dare change countries without being prepared to fail and come back.

[Kanadei]

I guess my biggest question is: How much money do you actually have, and how long did you spend in Japan on this trip?
Could you go 5 months without any income at all, keeping in mind that you'd probably have to pay first and last months rent twice and a flight there and back?
Where would you keep all your stuff? Would you sell it? Are you willing to rebuy everything if you do come back?

I wouldnt dare change countries without being prepared to fail and come back.

That isn't one question, that's several.

But to answer you:

1. I have roughly $15,000 AUD and more I could probably get access to
2. We spent 10 days in Japan, 5 in Kyoto and 5 in Tokyo
3. I could not go 5 months without any income, but that seems fairly extreme.
4. I would get rid of the large majority of it and store what I had to on family properties. I'd likely give a lot of it to my brother (he has a house he just leased). I'm more than willing to buy it all when I come back, it's mainly just tables, book cases, a bed, lamps. Average stuff with no personal attachment.

I'm more than prepared to fail and come back, but I think you underestimate the level of support (and demand) there are for english teachers in Japan.

[Ayla]

That isn't one question, that's several.

But to answer you:

1. I have roughly $15,000 AUD and more I could probably get access to
2. We spent 10 days in Japan, 5 in Kyoto and 5 in Tokyo
3. I could not go 5 months without any income, but that seems fairly extreme.
4. I would get rid of the large majority of it and store what I had to on family properties. I'd likely give a lot of it to my brother (he has a house he just leased). I'm more than willing to buy it all when I come back, it's mainly just tables, book cases, a bed, lamps. Average stuff with no personal attachment.

I'm more than prepared to fail and come back, but I think you underestimate the level of support (and demand) there are for english teachers in Japan.

You have 15k and access to storage? Sure, go for it. lol. You'll be fine. Also yeah I started off with one question and then my paranoid planning mind took over.

[Kanadei]

You have 15k and access to storage? Sure, go for it. lol. You'll be fine. Also yeah I started off with one question and then my paranoid planning mind took over.

Lol thanks for your approval (and planning).

I've been doing some poking around and it seems like most programs for teaching over there take 4-8 months to get started up anyway.

Which brings me back to the argument topic I currently have with my girlfriend:

Is going over there on a month long trip a justifiable expense? Or is it better to put that money towards the eventual move?

I argue the latter, she the former (as I suspect she just wants to get back to Japan and out of Australia for any reason whatsoever).

[Deleted]

Going without having work and living arrangements prior to leaving is worth of a PhD in stupidity.

if she want go ASAP, then one solution would be to let her go ahead of you and trust her to start getting things arranged, whilst you stay behind and wrap things up at home.

[Ayla]

Lol thanks for your approval (and planning).

I've been doing some poking around and it seems like most programs for teaching over there take 4-8 months to get started up anyway.

Which brings me back to the argument topic I currently have with my girlfriend:

Is going over there on a month long trip a justifiable expense? Or is it better to put that money towards the eventual move?

I argue the latter, she the former (as I suspect she just wants to get back to Japan and out of Australia for any reason whatsoever).

If you need a mind to be paranoid and remind you of potential problems, you can PM me. Is a month long trip justifiable now? Debateable, I think a month long trip may be something she needs to decide against something like this.

Is there a high cost with applying for these programs? If so, then a month long trip may be a good idea before you take the plunge, other than that, if there is a low cost, Id say there should be no trip until a few months before you're ready to go (2-3 months)

IF you go on a trip, you should not treat it as a trip. Spend as you would if you lived there and really live the culture.

[Kanadei]

Going without having work and living arrangements prior to leaving is worth of a PhD in stupidity.

if she want go ASAP, then one solution would be to let her go ahead of you and trust her to start getting things arranged, whilst you stay behind and wrap things up at home.

Yeah she keeps suggesting this as well. Seems like an easy way for her to have a great time, spend heaps of money while I continue to slave away and have to save even more.

If that isn't a fair analysis then let me know.

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If you need a mind to be paranoid and remind you of potential problems, you can PM me. Is a month long trip justifiable now? Debateable, I think a month long trip may be something she needs to decide against something like this.

Is there a high cost with applying for these programs? If so, then a month long trip may be a good idea before you take the plunge, other than that, if there is a low cost, Id say there should be no trip until a few months before you're ready to go (2-3 months)

IF you go on a trip, you should not treat it as a trip. Spend as you would if you lived there and really live the culture.

Thanks for the offer, I actually have two friends (well, acquaintances) who both now work teaching english in Japan but were native australians (should I have mentioned this earlier?) so am getting some advice from them too.

There isn't a high cost applying to these programs, on the contrary if you are accepted they pay for qualifications and for living costs.

I'm fairly certain she won't decide against this. She has always loved Japan and wants to leave Australia (for somewhere) desperately and has done for years now.

I dunno, I think I'd prefer to buckle down, do the work together now, then move and be done with it. Not screw around going on trips and wasting cash then coming back and saving up all over again. But this is where the disagreement lies.

[gaotienter]

She lived in a nice place and lived there for a few years before moving back home.

[Ayla]

Yeah she keeps suggesting this as well. Seems like an easy way for her to have a great time, spend heaps of money while I continue to slave away and have to save even more.

If that isn't a fair analysis then let me know.

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Thanks for the offer, I actually have two friends (well, acquaintances) who both now work teaching english in Japan but were native australians (should I have mentioned this earlier?) so am getting some advice from them too.

There isn't a high cost applying to these programs, on the contrary if you are accepted they pay for qualifications and for living costs.

I'm fairly certain she won't decide against this. She has always loved Japan and wants to leave Australia (for somewhere) desperately and has done for years now.

I dunno, I think I'd prefer to buckle down, do the work together now, then move and be done with it. Not screw around going on trips and wasting cash then coming back and saving up all over again. But this is where the disagreement lies.

At this point, I have enough information to say there should be no trip, and if she doesnt like it she can save her own money and go.